The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) today unveiled a new €1m online redundancy payments system that aims to make what is more than often a trying situation for workers and employers into a more streamlined and efficient process.
The new electronic system will include instantaneous online access for laid-off workers, an improved and simplified online redundancy payment calculator, Irish and English language facilities, the consolidation of existing forms into a single online form and the promise of a quicker turnover of redundancy applications.
The payment of Statutory Redundancy Lump Sums to eligible redundant employees is a matter for the employer in the first instance. However, where an employer is unable or unwilling to make the statutory payments, payment is made directly to the eligible employees by the Redundancy Payments Section of the DETE.
Any employer who pays the correct Statutory Redundancy Lump Sum to an eligible employee is entitled to reclaim 60pc of that lump sum from the department by completing the requisite RP50 form and submitting online using the new system.
The new Redundancy Payments System forms part of the e-government agenda under the Agreed Programme for Government 2002-2007 and is aimed at ensuring the public is able to access most key government services electronically. The project was designed by Version1 Software, a leading IT services company delivering value-based business solutions to government and industry using proven leading-edge technologies.
Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen TD commented: “Redundancy is a difficult time for both workers and employers and we therefore must ensure that the process of accessing redundancy entitlements is more efficient and user-friendly.
“Under this new system everyone is a winner because the processing of applications by my department is going to be simpler, more efficient and entail far fewer queries and exchanges of correspondence.”
“The Government allocated €1m for this project and it has been completed and delivered on time and on budget. It is in the interests of employers, liquidators and employees to use the new internet facility for making redundancy applications on the department’s website at www.entemp.ie,” Minister Killeen added.
By John Kennedy
